Trace-fastener.



f.No. 728,744. PATENTBD MAY 19, 1903.

J. MORRISON. TRACE PASTENER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13, 1903 no 30mm. 7

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UNITED STATES Patented May 19, 1903.

TRACE-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 728,744, dated May 19, 1903.

Application filed March 13,1903. Serial No. 147,643. (No model.) 7

To to whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH MORRISON, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Schuyler, in thecounty of I-Ierkimer and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Trace-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to trace-fasteners, and has for its object to construct a device of thischaracter by means of which a trace may be fastened to a whiffletree and be easily detached at pleasure.

The simple and novel construction employed' by me in carrying out myinvention is fully described and claimed in this specification, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my device with the trace fastened. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the trace fastened. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the whiffletree. Fig. 4.is a side elevation of the trace-holder.

Like numerals of reference desiguatelike parts in the different views of the drawings.

The numeral 1 designates a whifitletree apertured transversely at 2 and rounded off on the end at 3. A curved spring 4 embraces the rounded end 3. It is rigidly attached at its rear end 5 to the rear of the whiftletreebar, but is free at its forward end 6, which side bars 11 are transversely apertnred to ac-' commodate a cross-pin 11, which serves as a pivot for the yoke 10. Formed integral with the cross-bar 12 is a shank 13, having a button 14 on its free end which is similar in shape but slightly smaller than the apertures 7 and 8. An enlarged portion 15, rectangular incross-section, is also formed on the shank adjacent to the cross-bar 12 and of greaterlength than the width of the aperture 7. The maximum dimensions of the button 14 and enlargement 15 extend at. right angles to each other.

In attaching the trace to the whiffletree the shank 13 is turned so that the button 14 will extend parallel to the aperture 7 and is then inserted through the apertures 7 2 8, thereby forcing the end 6 of the spring toward the whiffietree. As soon asthe button 14 passes clear through the'aperture 8 the shank will be revolved until the enlargement 15 extends parallel to the aperture 7, when the spring will react and the aperture 7 willembrace the enlargement 15, and thereby hold the shank 13 against turning, which action will securely lock the device until the end 6 of the spring is forced back and compelled to release the enlargement 15, after which the shank 13 may be turned a half-revolution and Withdrawn.

I do not wish to be limited as to details of construction, as these may be modified in many particulars without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a whiffletree-bar having a transverse aperture therein, a shank bearing a button on one end and having an enlargement on the other to adapt said shank to be inserted in said aperture and given a halfturn to prevent its withdrawal, and an apertured spring mounted on said whiffletree-bar in position to engage said enlargement to secure said shank against turning, substantially as described.

2. ,In a trace-fastener, the combination of a whiffletree-bar having a transverse aperture therein, a spring secured to the rear of said bar and curved around to embrace the end thereof, said spring having two elongated. apertures therein located in alinement with said transverse aperture,'a trace bearing a shank having a button thereon toadapt said shank -to be inserted in said aperture in said spring and given a half-turn to prevent its withdrawal, said shank having an enlargement thereon which is engaged by said spring to hold the shank against rotation substantially as described. I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses. h

JOSEPH X MORRISON.

mar Witnesses:

JOHN KINET, HENRY MARSH. 

